Miami Marlins manager Don Mattingly discusses right-hander Dan Straily, who expressed a willingness to be a part of the team's rebuild and who was the team's most consistent starter, beginning to end, in 2017. "Dan was really what we thought we were getting, a guy who was consistent, prepared. He's an innings eater," Mattingly said. "He's a guy who has made every start. He's a guy who has been durable. We're going to need some guys like that to lead our staff."

Miami Marlins manager Don Mattingly discusses right-hander Dan Straily, who expressed a willingness to be a part of the team's rebuild and who was the team's most consistent starter, beginning to end, in 2017. "Dan was really what we thought we were getting, a guy who was consistent, prepared. He's an innings eater," Mattingly said. "He's a guy who has made every start. He's a guy who has been durable. We're going to need some guys like that to lead our staff."

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Miami Marlins manager Don Mattingly discusses right-hander Dan Straily, who expressed a willingness to be a part of the team's rebuild and who was the team's most consistent starter, beginning to end, in 2017. "Dan was really what we thought we were getting, a guy who was consistent, prepared. He's an innings eater," Mattingly said. "He's a guy who has made every start. He's a guy who has been durable. We're going to need some guys like that to lead our staff."

Miami Marlins manager Don Mattingly discusses right-hander Dan Straily, who expressed a willingness to be a part of the team's rebuild and who was the team's most consistent starter, beginning to end, in 2017. "Dan was really what we thought we were getting, a guy who was consistent, prepared. He's an innings eater," Mattingly said. "He's a guy who has made every start. He's a guy who has been durable. We're going to need some guys like that to lead our staff."

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Miami Marlins manager Don Mattingly discusses what it's like for players to go to salary arbitration, a process he took part in once, against the Yankees in 1987. "At the end of the day, I looked at it like you can’t really lose," Mattingly said. "Usually when you get to that point you’re getting a pretty good jump."

Miami Marlins manager Don Mattingly discusses what it's like for players to go to salary arbitration, a process he took part in once, against the Yankees in 1987. "At the end of the day, I looked at it like you can’t really lose," Mattingly said. "Usually when you get to that point you’re getting a pretty good jump."

The last time he was at Petco Park, where the Miami Marlins opened a three-game series with the Padres on Friday, was in March with Team USA during the World Baseball Classic. He hit a monster home run to help the Americans oust the Dominican Republic en route to a Team USA championship.

The visit before that, last July during All-Star week, Stanton won the Home Run Derby with a record-breaking 61 homers, setting the stage for him to defend that title in this year’s edition at Marlins Park.

And almost nobody hits as well as Stanton has at Petco. His 1.100 OPS is third-highest of all time (minimum of 60 plate appearances), according to Stats LLC. Overall in 16 games, he owns a .292 average with a .433 OBP and .667 slugging mark. He’s hit it out on five occasions.

To what can Stanton attribute all that success?

“Being on the West Coast probably,” Stanton said. “It’s always beautiful here and a good time at the park. It’s a great baseball environment.”

That he’s playing at Petco — only a couple of hours from his alma mater, Notre Dame High in Sherman Oaks, Calif. — again this weekend could only mean good things for Stanton.

Not that he necessarily needs more good things. He is slashing .268/.354/.500, numbers all better than those he had in 2016, with four homers so far this year.

“I feel good,” Stanton said. “Still, it’s going to be a work in progress completing that approach and sticking to it. Even when you have a bad couple of games you go, ‘All right what can I do to maneuver out of it?’ You just have to stay the course and keep pushing.”

Rojas back to the bench

Adeiny Hechavarria’s return from the disabled list (strained left oblique) means a return to a part-time role for Miguel Rojas, who is off to a strong start at the plate — .289/.364/.342 for an OPS+ of 102 in 14 games — while providing reliable defense at all four infield positions.

Manager Don Mattingly said the Marlins would rather be able to use Rojas at several spots, spotting the likes of Dee Gordon and perhaps Martin Prado when needed, as opposed to using him more regularly at short over Hechavarria, who has not provided much offense in recent years.

But never say never.

“This thing is always competition, right? You don’t want to just sit there and say Adeiny is the shortstop,” Mattingly said. “But we think we’re a better club if Adeiny is playing shortstop for the most part and we’re able to use Miggy all over the place and still get plenty of at-bats.”

As for Hechavarria, Mattingly said he won’t have any physical or innings restrictions. To hear Hechavarria tell it, there is still a minor mental hurdle to clear, but that will pass in time.

“I don’t feel any pain. No issues,” Hechavarria said through translator Jon Erik Alvarez. “I’m still kind of afraid or timid when I make a big swing, but I feel like that’s mental and something I will get rid of after I play a few games.”

Romney’s father, former Massachusetts governor and presidential candidate Mitt Romney, is not part of that bid, Bloomberg...

(Sun Sentinel staff)

** Left-hander Jeff Locke (shoulder tendinintis) is still progressing, Mattingly said, throw live batting practice to minor leaguers in Jupiter. He hasn’t experienced any setbacks and is nearing a rehab assignment. Mattingly also noted that the Marlins still intend on stretching Locke out to be a multi-inning reliever.

** The Marlins outrighted first baseman/outfielder Tyler Moore to Triple-A New Orleans on Friday after he cleared waivers. The team designated him for assignment on Monday when Prado returned.